Tag Archives: Music

Coming this September to Fender® Center for the Performing Arts: Bobby Kimball “Original Lead Vocalist of Toto”!

Join Kids Rock Free® at Fender® Center for a special concert. Enjoy a summery night of exciting music at our extraordinary outdoor amphitheater with Kimball—a master musician. Kimball’s first LP with Toto broke out with the massive hit single, “Hold The Line.” The band was nominated for a Grammy as “Best New Band” the year it was released. Kimball is an avid supporter of the Kids Rock Free program at Fender Center, which is dedicated to providing free and low-cost performing arts education to children of Inland Southern California. The band Electric Ash will open for Kimball.

Electric Ash

Together, Kimball, Electric Ash, and Kids Rock Free rock to benefit children’s musical education and improve access to music lessons in our community. Join us September 6, 8:00 p.m. (Doors open 7:00 for VIP, 7:30 for GA) here at Fender Center for the Performing Arts. The VIP pre-concert reception includes Meet & Greet with artist, 2 complimentary wine/soft drink tickets, light dinner, and preferred seating prior to GA entry. There will be a silent auction benefitting the Kids Rock Free program during the VIP dinner.

I got a call from Scooter Braun’s office to come to the set of The Voice at Universal’s back lot to help the band Rixton, particularly their lead singer, Jake Roche, who was going through tonsillitis and bronchitis. Scooter is manager to Justin Beiber, Ariana Grande, Tori Kelly and others. The band was scheduled to appear as special guest on The Voice that day. He was very ill but I was able to work his voice to a place where he could get through the show, and he nailed it! I worked with the other two singers also, Danny and Charley. The drummer, Lewis, doesn’t sing. They asked me to do the same on Wednesday for the Ellen DeGeneres show; that one I did over Skype and once again he did an amazing job. They might have me do it again for their show on the 13th at the Roxy in Hollywood.

Billy Purnell is one of Southern California’s most sought after voice teachers. His list of clients includes major and indie label recording artists, television and film stars from the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon Broadway, and others. He is the creator of the Ultimate Voice Training for Singers home-study singing program that has sold in over 75 countries around the world, and Billy has taught private lessons across the United States, Japan, Australia, Holland, the Caribbean, and Hungary. In addition to teaching here at the Fender Center for the Performing Arts.

This past Saturday April 26, Mike Peters of ‘The Alarm’ was kind enough to offer up his expertise and talent to Kids Rock Free® at Fender® Center for the Performing Arts. In the afternoon, he spoke in a special Master Class about his rise to stardom and everything that lead up to his success in the industry.

From a lowly band in the UK, proclaiming themselves ‘The Toilets!’ to shenanigans of hiding their band name in order to get on the radio—Peters was a real treat.

Peters spoke movingly about his real desire with regard to becoming a musician. After John Lennon was killed, he realized that all his music had been created for commercial gain. From that point on, he decided he wanted to create art that was honest and real. He wanted to make music that mattered—a goal that he is still fully dedicated to.

Peters is lucky enough to have played with many amazing bands, including U2. Overall, the audience was treated to a unique live memoir of a fascinating man.

Kids Rock Free really changed my life. Before joining the bass class on Thursdays, I hardly knew how to play a note on bass. I really have learned a lot in Lee Zimmer’s class, like how to play tons of songs, riffs, and scales. Now I can play in bands or even just jam out by myself or with a friend. I now play with a band once a week, and without Kids Rock Free I would never had been able to do that. Not only have I learned so much on the bass, I also made tons of new friends! Kids Rock Free has really change my life in tons of awesome ways.

Joining Kids Rock Free has really impacted my life. Attending class every Wednesday has driven me to become more motivated to practice playing on a daily basis. Music has been very important to me, even as a younger child. Now, as I proceed on my journey to becoming a guitarist, my only passion is motivating others to follow and achieve their goals through the power of music. I plan to take what Fender has taught me and make an impact on the world.